Google on Tuesday said that it will create a $280 million fund to help SolarCity, a residential solar project financing company, to ramp up deployments.

SolarCity is a company that has been gaining traction because provides money and financing upfront for residential solar installations. Costs are the biggest hurdle to residential solar installations. Technically, homeowners don't own the solar installation, but buy power from SolarCity at a discount.

For Google, the $280 million fund is its largest clean energy investment yet. Google has invested $680 million in clean tech. Google employees will also get SolarCity discounts.